An investigation reveals that major chocolate brands are linked to deforestation crises within West Africa’s last remaining rainforests, particularly in Liberia. Notable brands including Mars, Hershey, KitKat, and Dairy Milk are implicated through supply chains that utilize cocoa beans sourced from deforested areas in the country.
Cocoa Production and Deforestation Crisis
Between 2021 and 2024, Liberia’s cocoa belt has experienced substantial forest loss, surpassing an area larger than Luxembourg. The motivation behind this deforestation is largely driven by high cocoa prices and rural poverty, prompting farmers to clear land for new cocoa farms.
Supply Chain Dynamics
The analysis indicates that a system known as “mass balance” permits the mixing of cocoa from deforestation-affected areas with deforestation-free cocoa. Despite being labeled as “sustainable,” this system allows high-risk cocoa from Liberia to enter the supply chains of chocolate giants, without any assurance of traceability.
- Major traders involved in this dynamic include ECOM, Touton, OFI (Olam), and Cargill.
- Over 20 million kg of Liberian cocoa, linked to deforestation, was imported into the EU from 2022 to 2025.
Environmental and Economic Importance of Liberian Forests
Liberia is home to the largest part of the Upper Guinean rainforest ecosystem, essential for biodiversity and regulating rainfall. Rural communities heavily depend on these forests for resources, as approximately 70% collect forest products.
Yet, the escalating demand for cocoa has intensified forest loss. In just the last three years, the cocoa-producing regions of Bong, Nimba, and Lofa counties have lost more than 250,000 hectares of forest.
Impact of International Demand
The surge in cocoa prices, partly due to crop failures in neighboring countries, has made cocoa a lucrative commodity for farmers, driving further deforestation. Farmers report that the profit from cocoa is a critical lifeline in a country where rural poverty is rampant.
This demand has also attracted Ivorian and Burkinabe cocoa farmers, leading to increased land competition and further environmental degradation.
Regulatory Challenges and Future Outlook
The introduction of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) aims to eliminate deforestation-linked products from the EU market. However, its implementation has faced delays, threatening to undermine efforts towards sustainable practices in cocoa sourcing.
- Stakeholders are urging for compliance and transparency to avoid further environmental damage and deforestation.
- Environmentalists advocate for stricter regulations to protect Liberia’s forests and ensure sustainability in cocoa production.
Grassroots Initiatives
A locally-run initiative called “Payment for Stewardship” aims to ensure that communities receive financial incentives for forest preservation. This project seeks to create a sustainable model that benefits both rural livelihoods and the environment.
Investment in sustainable cocoa farming practices and support for traceability initiatives will be crucial in reversing the current trends of deforestation in Liberia. The fate of Liberia’s remaining forests hinges on the collective action of international chocolate brands, local governments, and communities to engage in environmentally responsible cocoa production.
